Compartment-box.



No. 658,498. Patentod Sept. 25, I900.

' W. F. BOSTON.

COMPARTMENT BOX.

(Application filed my 23, 1900.)

(No Model.)

ow HZWJ Q *NITE TATES PATENT OFFICEQ WILLIAM FRANKLIN OOSTON, NEW YORK,N. Y.

COM PARTM ENT-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 658,498, datedSeptember 25, 1900.

Application filed May 23, 1900. Serial No- 17,659. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM FRANKLIN GOSTON, of New York, county of NewYork, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Compartment:

Boxes, of which the following is a specifica lllOIl.

This invention has reference to a compart ment-box designed moreparticularly for 'the storage of signals on life boats or rafts, &c.;and it comprises a casing of peculiar form adapted to be firmly fastenedin position and containing a sliding tray in which the signals or otherobjects may be placed.

The invention consists also in the details of construction andcombination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of myimproved box. Fig. 2'is a vertical transverse section through the boxand the seat of a boat to which the box is attached. Fig. 3 is asectional view, on an enlarged scale, through the forward portion of thebox and the seat of the boat. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectionalelevation showing the box reversed in the position it occupies whenattached to the raft.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a metallic casing of generalrectangular form open at its front, and 2 represents a sliding traymounted in the casing and adapted to receive the signals or otherobjects to be carried. The opening in the casing is widest from top tobottom at its front, so that the tray will slide easily therein and beprevented from jamming by the weight of the contents. At its f1 out thecasing has hinged to its front edge, as at 3, a door 4, adapted to beswung across the opening in the casing and close the same, and the edgeof the door is formed with a bent lip 5, which when the door is closedembraces a head 6 on the edge of the casing, as clearly shown in Figf3.At opposite ends on one side the-casing is formed projecting tongues 7,provided with holes 8 to receive fastening devices by which the casingis firmly secured in place on the boat or raft.

In Fig. 2 the casing is shown as applied to the under side of a seat ina boat, and the bead 6 serves when the casing is secured, as shown, toprevent any water which may run down along the front edge of the seatfrom finding its way into the interior of the easing. In such cases thewater flows beneath the seat into the space between the casing and theunder side of the seat, and the raised bead prevents it from flowingagain forward, but directs it sidewise to the ends of the easing, whereit escapes.

In Fig. 4 the casing is shown as being secured in a reversed position-onthe top of a raft, for instance-and the same meansnamely, the tongues7are used here to firmly secure it in place. In order, however, that thetray may present its open side uppermost, I so form it that it may bereversed side for side in the casing, and when the latter is reversed inposition, as shown, the tray is also reversed within the, casing.

Any suitable means may be employed for holding the door closed; but Iprefer to apply to each end of the door rings 9, adapted when the dooris closed to engage over lugs 10 on the ends of the casing. From theforegoing description it will be seen that my box is of extremesimplicity and aifords a practically-tight compartment in which thesignals may be stored.

The device is of such form that it may be quickly applied in reversepositions according to the emergencies of the case, and in any positionthe tray is easy of access and may be conveniently and quicklywithdraw'nto permit access to its contents.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In acompartment-box the combination with a rectangular casing open at itsfront and provided at its top edge with a head, of tongues attached tosaid casing and projecting beyond the ends of the same flush orsubstantially so with its side and serving as a means for securing thecasing in place in reverse positions, a sliding tray mounted in saidcasing and reversible therein side for side, a door adapted to close thefront of the casing and a lip on the edge of the door adapted to engageover the head.

2. The combination with a seat, of a casa s le ing secured to thenndersideofthe same and In testimony whereof i hereunto set my open atits forward end and provided at its hand, this 10th day of May, 1900, inthe prestop edge with a bead extending at the under ence of twoattesting witnesses.

side of the seat, a tray mounted in said cas WM. FRANKLIN COSTON. 5 ing,a door adapted to close the front of the Witnesses:

casing, and a lip on the door arranged to en- HARRY H. HOLLANDER,

gage over the head when the door is closed. F. S. ELMORE.

